[2] He and his brother Michael were involved in a series of armed robberies in the 1970s and had strong links with Martin Cahill.
[2][5] At trial, John and his brother Michael were convicted, along with Anthony Kelly, after being arrested at the house on Waterloo Road.
[6] Brian McNicholl was also convicted, with the judge accepting that his role was mainly to provide a location for Guinness to be held.
[3] While awaiting early release he escaped from Shelton Abbey Prison and fled to the Netherlands in late 1996.
[2] He attended the funeral of his brother Michael at Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Ballyfermot in January 2015 along with Martin Foley and Troy Jordan.